History

The Family Ties Project (FTP) was first established in 1996 following four years of work by the Consortium for Child Welfare (CCW) to address and improve the outcomes for children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS.

The successes and strengths of the Family Ties Project include:

Establishing a city-wide collaboration consisting of over 15 community and hospital based HIV/AIDS service providers

Providing project services to over 450 families since beginning of project; and addressing custody planning for 900 children.

Providing permanency planning services to 250 children who experienced the death of their parent/caregiver over the life of the Project

Successful policy reform and advocacy efforts resulting in the enactment of the Standby Guardianship Act of 2002 in Washington, D.C. which increased the permanency planning options of families in D.C.

Successful policy reform and advocacy efforts resulting in the enactment of the District of Columbia’s Grandparent Caregivers Pilot Program

Creation of a Training Academy including 8 curriculums addressing HIV/AIDS and Child Welfare and offered to the Children and Families Services Agency, foster parents, other professionals and organizations.